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Roy Hibbert, left, and Tyler Hansbrough (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
The Indiana Pacers made a splash in the Orlando Summer League last month, finishing the tourney with a perfect 5-0 record. Although summer league success rarely translates into regular season wins, the team's young players were extremely impressive. This could be a good sign for a rebuilding franchise that needs some fresh talent to complement emerging star Danny Granger.
Led by rookie first round draft pick Tyler Hansbrough and second-year center Roy Hibbert, the Pacers dominated down low in the Orlando league. Hansbrough averaged over 18 points a game and 5.6 rebounds and seemingly got to the foul line at will. Hibbert averaged just over 20 points per game and was considered by ESPN's John Denton to be the most improved player from last year's summer league.
Could the tandem work their way into the starting lineup next season?
The Pacers could certainly use improvement in the post. Last year the team was frequently abused by the league's elite low-post players, and the team lacked a real scoring threat in the paint.
Hibbert showed some promise last season, despite struggling to adjust to the level of competition at times. He developed into a good shot blocker and proved he could score from short range. If his improvement in summer league play is any indication of his overall development, he should challenge center Jeff Foster for a starting roster spot.
Jeff Foster is an excellent rebounder and a feisty defender, but lacks the strength to guard larger centers like Dwight Howard and division newcomer Shaquille O'Neal. Foster does not present a scoring threat at all, and is not capable of creating his own shot.
While Hibbert is more capable as a low-post scorer, he will need to show that he has gained some bulk since last season. Some added strength and discipline will help him to stay out of foul trouble, which frequently shortened his playing time in 2008. Judging from his play in summer league, expect to see Hibbert in the starting lineup at some point next season.
Tyler Hansbrough will be competing with Troy Murphy for the starting power forward position. Murphy is really more of a perimeter scorer than a low-post threat, and he is a liability on defense. However, he does provide a huge boost in rebounding at both ends of the floor.
Hansbrough actually proved in the summer league that he could also hit long range jumpers, including two three-pointers in a game against Oklahoma City. But he also showed more toughness than Murphy can offer down low, frequently getting to the foul line with his aggressive play. Hansbrough hit 40 of 48 free throws in the five summer league games.
If Hansbrough can make the starting lineup at some point next season, Murphy could be the biggest benefactor. Coming off the bench would allow him to play against reserve post players that might not be able to take advantage of his defensive deficiencies. Murphy is a deadly shooter, but making 45% of his three-point shots (like he did last season) is irrelevant if the player he’s guarding dunks it every time at the other end of the floor.
Hansbrough will go through some of the same growing pains that Hibbert did as a rookie. His passionate, fiery play that earned him the moniker “Psycho-T” at the Univeristy of North Carolina could result in a lot of fouls against savvy NBA veterans. And even though he averaged over 18 points a game in the Orlando Summer League, it will be much more difficult for him to score against better defenders.
Hansbrough will likely start the year coming off the bench, and, unless his transition to the NBA is unusually fast, he will remain a bench player for the duration of his rookie season. Josh McRoberts will also be pushing for playing time at the forward position, and even though Pacer fans are hoping Hansbrough can turn the team around immediately, it is very probable that he will have to start off as a role player and learn from the veteran players before he can make a full contribution as a starter.
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